Magnus Tarkand was a Jinsai Grand Master and an advisor to the High Lord during the reign of Artur Strykia. During the Antrixian and Jedi purge, Magnus like many other Antrixians fled the Commonwealth and went into seclusion in the Outer Rim Territories. He would later be contacted by Marissa Strykia who had just given birth to a daughter, Arina Pryia. Marissa asked Magnus to be Arina's guardian and master while she continued her self-imposed mission.

Magnus was a ruthless, yet noble and romantic warrior of enormous talent. He was regarded the most loyal of friends to those he loved, and to those he hated there were few enemies more terrifying. Tarkand's fighting abilities were second to none. In a fight against Magnus with sword or knife, few opponents lasted more than a few moments.

Magnus served as an advisor to High Lord Artur Strykia, a trusted confidant of High Lady Strykia and a mentor of their son Draygan.

Magnus was given the honor of becoming a Rokudan meaning Grand Master a few days before the Antrixian Purge. During which he would fight valiantly and killed many enemies of the Commonwealth. But he quickly assessed that they were largely outnumbered and needed to evacuate to preserve their culture and people. Magnus helped Ocean, Wynd and a few others evade the Emperor's minions. Eventually, they settled on the remote world of Yasirah. But Magnus would not stay, he chose to travel the Outer Rim Territories knowing that others would have evacuated as well and might need help.

The first Antrixian Magnus found in need of help actually found him - Marissa Strykia. The reason Marissa sought out Magnus was her new-born daughter, Arina. Marissa entrusted Magnus with the story of her visions and her mission to bring her son, Dontaine, to justice for murdering his father. She asked Magnus to be Arina's guardian and master while she continued her mission.

Magnus took Arina and raised her in the way of the Jinsai. They would never stay in one place for a long period of time. It was during this time that Magnus and Arina found refuge with a man named of Arthor Bishop. Magnus and Arthur spent many nights talking about the old ways and where the galaxy stood with the Empire in power now.

Magnus was confident in Arina's training as a Jinsai warrior, but he was concerned that he didn't understand the ways of the Gai'din. Arina had an encrypted datacard with messages and training from her mother. But Magnus feared that Arina was progressing too quickly. At times, Magnus would find Arina crying and would hide it once she noticed him.

In the closing months of 1 ABY, Magnus and Arina heard the news of High Lord in Exile Draygan's death. They would also overhear a conversation about an Antrixian Lord that was trying to gather people from the occupied Commonwealth in order to move against the Imperials. Arina was eager to help the Antrixian Lord, but Magnus feared it was a trap laid by the Imperials or Dontaine.